Quotes and video from Seattle safety Earl Thomas

Here are some quotes and video from Earl Thomas’ weekly session with the media today:

(On getting turnovers) We’ve been getting the ball out, it’s just one of those things where you have to keep going; it’s a daily process, it’s a lot of coachable moments, but we always talk about it and it’s always on our mind. We can’t control that we’re not getting the ball and we’re still winning games; that’s the most important thing. The thing that we need to just keep doing is keep going after it. We’re doing a great job of trying to punch the ball out, but it’s just not falling our way.

(On quarterbacks being more careful about how they throw the ball) Yes; of course. Last year, seems like they were just throwing it; deep ball after deep ball, fade ball after fade ball, but that’s not the case. Even though we gave up two deep balls last game, that’s not the norm. It was coverages that we weren’t used to; you got [Richard] Sherman trying to play safety, and that should teach him a valuable lesson about the guys that’s behind him now cause it’s hard back there; especially when you’re an aggressive guy and they’re asking you to kind of stay back and not really be involved. If a double move happens, that’s definitely hard for me.

(On evaluating the defense’s performances) I think we’re peaking right at the right time. I think our D-line has played great. They really made it easy for us on the back end; they’re very dominant, they know what they’re doing, Brandon Mebane is playing great, he’s doing a hell of a job. He’s controlling all those holes; he’s a wide body so he’s plugging up two or three gaps at the same time and it’s making it easier for the linebackers to flow with what’s going on.

(On DeMarco Murray from Oklahoma to now) I think he’s getting back to himself. When he was at OU he was very explosive. Anytime he got the ball, he could go the distance. He’s starting to get his swagger back. He and I battled; we were going at it and I always won so let’s keep it that way.

(On Dallas running the ball more) They’re starting to find out who they are; they’re a run-first team and Tony [Romo] is doing a good job of scrambling and making big plays down field so we have to plaster; just as we if were playing Green Bay or Drew Brees. These quarterbacks have a knack for spinning out and kind of creating on the run. He and Russell [Wilson] are kind of alike in that aspect.

(On him being surprised to see Seahawks being 22nd in pass defense) I’m not surprised; it’s just a weird way. If you really watch the game closely, it’s not really anything that we really can control other than our opportunities to make those tip interceptions, but I think we’re doing good. Obviously, it’s always stuff that we can work on; it’s football.

(On Dez Bryant) He’s been through a lot in his childhood. I think guys like that; when you’ve been through a lot like that, you start to see what your talent is capable of as you go through the different stages, you don’t know what you’re capable of and he’s getting his confidence back from college when he got suspended. He’s slowly starting to progress to be that Dez Bryant that he was; I played him in high school and all-star games, we were on team Jordan together, so we have a lot of great conversations about wanting to be great. He’s wants to be in the Hall of Fame and he’s one of those types of players where we have to know where he is at all times.

(On hearing from the league about his officiating comments) I haven’t been listening to hear it. I just want to speak my mind and that’s just how I felt whatever are the consequences for that, I’m not going to have any regrets when I’m forty years old I can tell you that.

(On game plan for Dallas about stopping the run) It’s always about that; I think when you can make a team one-dimensional and you know it’s a pass, it starts becoming 7-on-7, and you can kind of translate your mind into a pass thought; you don’t know if it’s going to be a play-action or run. So I’d rather make a team one-dimensional and take their strengths away from them and make them beat you with their weaknesses.